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Editor's Note
Brilliant! Welcome to the
21st issue of Rugby Forum, I am proud to present probably the best issue to
date and what more fitting an occasion than the week before a Springbok/All
Blacks test match. The two archrivals inspire all that is good and hard in the
game of rugby and since my early memories of the 1976 and 1981 series the two
country’s clashes are the ultimate in rugby rivalry and a highlight not to
be missed.
The past weekend the conquering Wallabies created
history by beating the Lions, in the process providing the world with one of
the best rugby series in years. The standard of rugby was extraordinary high
and credit must go to all the players and coaches involved in creating a truly
magnificent spectacle. All will agree that the Wallabies deserved to win the
deciding test especially after the way they were defeated in the first match.
The series proved a few interesting points and they are well worth pondering:
1) The Northern Hemisphere is not behind the Southern Hemisphere in terms of
performance or ability, there is a healthy state of competition and the
respect and experienced gained from the Lions performance will benefit the
home nations tremendously. 2) The referees all performed a magnificent
job in “managing” the most tense and high-staked games of their careers.
It does not happen very often that there is no complaints directed at the men
in the middle, like the players, Watson, Kaplan and O’Brien set the standard
on a lofty plato. 3) Individual skills are the catalyst and many times
the decider in a closely fought battle, new stars emerged and established
reputations were enforced. A man of the series is hard to choose, there were
magnificent performances from Wilkinson, Robinson, O’Driscoll, Johnson and
Wood for the Lions and Herbert, Smith, Gregan, Eales and Walker for the
Ausies. 4) Rugby as a world sport is thriving and this was a triumphant
advertisement for a truly magnificent game.
The great Lions series however is now confined to
history and legend, the Tri-Nations is on our doorstep and for the first time
the Springboks play their first round of matches at home. The effect of home
advantage was clearly demonstrated in the corresponding fixture last year, a
bruised and battered Springbok team rallied to a magnificent win over a
Christian Cullen inspired All Blacks side. Claire Johnstone’s angelic voice
contributed to a memorable occasion with the crowd as emotionally charged as
the players. The ferocious Haka was met with steely stares from a bunch of
determined-looking players; the rest, as they say in the classics is history.
I do believe Claire Johnstone will once again lead the way with her special
rendition of the national anthems, what is needed again are the steely stares
from the starting XV, somehow I think that on the day, they will be there.
This match is a difficult one to call however home-ground advantage and
pressure coming out of their ears might pip it for the Springboks, the
scoreline will not be great, both teams refrained from selecting high
percentage place kickers but this match may yet be decided by the boot.
Today’s issue contain an article from new
contributor, Desmond Organ and Brian Forsyth is back with an interesting story
about rugby touring also visit sarugby, a South African rugby
news and discussion group with details below. The reader’s letters are very
encouraging and as is the norm, of conflicting opinion, it is however
great to see so many people committing fingers to keyboards! Enjoy the first
“real” test of the year with all respect to my French friends, colleagues
and readers and remember wear your heart on your sleeve!
Join
the SARUGBY news and discussion group for the fastest sarugby news and the
most intense debates around the South African game. Go to: http://www.bigfoot.com/~sarugby
or send a blank email to sarugby-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
The Greatest Rivalry by
Mark Foster
The allure of sport has always been one of the
most difficult sentiments to fathom. Why do people go through the
extraordinary trouble to support total strangers and have almost a
lover’s intimate knowledge of each player? The phenomenon is not only unique
to sport of course, intellectuals, politicians and holy people attract similar
worship yet there is one subtle difference and that is pleasure. People
attract to sport because of the ultra fine line between tears of joy and tears
of disappointment, the thin line between pleasure and temporary pain
because soon afterwards there are only memories and new legends. The
fascination with the ultimate team sport, rugby is therefore easy to
understand and Saturday is the eternal battle for supremacy in rugby history;
the All Blacks vs the Springboks. There is no greater rivalry.
The 57th test match between history’s
superpowers has been labeled as crucial, even instrumental to the future of
both countries in their quest to wrest initiative from the Australians. Both
teams have somewhat under performed over the last two seasons if compared to
their illustrious past. One common thread for both teams is that this match,
the green and gold against the blacks is regarded as the ultimate test of
rugbymanship for representing players. The ultimate All Black Colin Meads,
never won a series in South Africa, the Springboks after the glory of 1937 has
never again won a series in New Zealand. One can understand why Sean
Fitzpatrick has secured a permanent place in All Black lore as a winning
captain in a series in South Africa, this feat rank by his own admission as
his greatest achievement as an All Black. With a history filled with pride and
honour, a spectator can only but imagine the pressure and weight of tradition
resting upon the respective teams this Saturday.
The long awaited kick off to the 2001 Tri-Nations
is a clash between two teams not dissimilar in make-up but contrasting in
execution. The All Blacks would like to move the ball wide as often as they
can after structured forward driving and rucking, watch out for the likes of
Oliver and Maxwell who use their strength and ball skills to break the line.
The obvious strength is a backline consisting of world-class players in Tana
Umaga, Jeff Wilson and Jonah Lomu superbly marshaled by Tony Brown. The
Springbok’s nemesis in recent years, Chritian Cullen is unavailable due to
injury, a heartening situation for the Springboks. The various pundits predict
that the Springboks might attack what is believed to be a vulnerable tight
five however after both sides received some rough treatment from the French it
is difficult to assess the true strength of both packs, one thing is for sure
there has hardly ever been a weak All Black scrum.
The Springboks, to be quite honest have done a
superb job in concealing their gameplan during the opening tests and few but
the coaches and players really know what to expect. The idea however is to
assume control up front and with inventive running lines and the creative
force of Skinstad create opportunities out wide for explosive backs like
Fleck, Paulse and Hall. The Springboks might do well to take a leaf from the
Lions book in the way they performed in the first test at the Gabba, where
everybody believed there will be a total forward onslaught, the backline ran
rings around their more fancied counterparts. Tony Brown, a superb runner and
distributor has shown a propensity to fail under severe pressure and the
Sharks amongst the Springboks will love to exert the same kind of pressure
that rattled him in Durban this year.
The game is difficult to call and as a firm
believer of hindsight and the safety of history this will be a close contest
as most matches between the countries are. The weather, with storms lashing in
Cape Town during midweek will of course play a tremendous role in the week’s
preparation and on the day. The most exciting feature however is the prospect
of watching two great teams compete for something that money cannot buy…
pride and honour.
Mail
RugbyForum@freemail.absa.co.za to
include or remove your address or to request an RF Omnibus of all
the previous issues in MS Word format.
"Blood 'n Guts"
by Tom Marcellus
When I was but knee-high to a grasshopper, back in
the early '70's, we were continually reminded of the apparent fragility of our
existence. The Cold War was flourishing, and we were often reminded to
be on the look-out for evil Ruskies with unpronounceable names, intent on the
downfall of Western civilisation. The threat of a nuclear holocaust
seemed to loom large, even in my stunted conscience, and often, at primary
school, we would be subjected to educational films that were filled with
exhilaratingly grisly footage, shown on a sheet in the school hall, of decent
Americans and their rickety homes being mock-obliterated by nuclear
explosions. Invariably there would be a snippet about some toothless
hillbilly from Backwater, Oklahoma, as he proudly showed off his backyard
bunker, with its larder stocked with pilchards, powdered milk and bogroll, to
the prying eyes of the camera.
It most definitely is a long way from some 1950's
dusty Midwestern farm, to the sleek and sexy Cape Town of the 3rd millenium.
The city is surely the Riviera of Africa, with its glorious summer weather,
ancient wine farms and whitewalled houses - not to mention all those shapely
lasses cavorting on Clifton beach. In any event, a vague comparison
between the two destinations, separated in both place and time, is hopefully
not so spurious, as the Bokke and their fans prepare to do battle with the
eternal foe.
The Men in Black, those menacing brutes from
across the seas, are preparing to launch their onslaught against Bob & his
merry band, and it is at times like these, when the country - in rugby terms -
is under siege, that I look for comfort from my modest collection of rugby
books. In those pages, I am able to gain solace reading about the heroic
deeds of players who, when the chips were down, were able to rise to the
challenge in trying circumstances. And, in the whole history of sport,
there can be few rivalries more worthy of such amateur study as that between
the wearers of the Green 'n Gold and the admirably savage spawn of the silver
fern.
This correspondent will be making the pilgrimage
from the dusty mine dumps of e-Goli to the spiritual grandeur of Nuweland for
this weekend's match. The Bok squad, despite their efforts to show
public support for their new skipper and beleaguered coach, must surely
harbour unsettling thoughts about their chances on Saturday. Let's us
hope that they are mindful of the other occasions over the 80-year rivalry
between the teams that a down-hearted Bok side has prevailed against the odds.
Like the 3rd test in 1965, when Dawie de Villiers' touring Boks had to face the might of New Zealand on a seven-test losing streak down. Seemingly uninspired even by the unexpected presence of the Doc himself, the Boks were down 5-16 at half-time (a whopping score in those days), and a record score in favour of the home side seemed on the cards. Then, a matchless, gritty Gainsford-inspired 2nd half saw the Boks scrape in 16-19 to record an historic victory over an All Black team littered with legendary players.
And what about the lessons of 1970? A great
All Black team brimming with confidence arrived in SA having enjoyed an
unprecedented winning streak in international matches (if I'm not mistaken,
they had not lost since that epic encounter in 1965). The first test was
played at the citadel of SA rugby, Loftus Versfeld, and in his pre-match
team-talk, Dawie de Villiers, pleaded with his troops to "Win this for
South Africa". And win they did.
Possibly the turning point in the entire series
came as early as the 7th minute of the first half of that test. The Kiwi
first five-eighth, Wayne Cottrell, received the ball from a set scrum and
moved to the blindside. As Cottrell shifted his weight to pass, the
burly, young Free State debutant, Joggie Jansen, hurtled into his midriff in a
savage, textbook tackle that left the All Black prostrate on the dry pitch.
The crowd roared - these All Blacks could be beaten afterall. A home
test match against the All Blacks - a match for the rugby connoisseur to
savour, and on the tradition-filled Newlands pitch too.
Let us hope that the Class of 2001, inspired by
the timeless spirit of Doc Craven, Hennie Muller, Morne du Plessis, and all
the other great players who wore the blue and white hoops of Province and the
Green 'n Gold of the Bokke with pride, can match the spirit and passion of the
ages.
Rugby
Touring – Then and Now by Brian Forsyth
(Copyright © The Author, Inc. All Rights Reserved.) We hear so much today at International and Super 12 level about the difficulties that touring sides have in winning matches and being away from home for any length of time. Touring however has always been difficult, and whilst there is no doubt that the game has become more intense and more physical since the introduction of professionalism, players of the days of yore also had a hard time of it and perhaps it is the change in attitude that it is now part of the job instead of a time of high adventure. If time would allow us to transpose the players of a hundred years ago with those of today one wonders who would cope better with the changes that have occurred
International rugby tours to this country started one hundred and ten years
ago, our visitors, who were from the British Isles, did have an advantage over
our players in that they had been playing the game far longer and they had
toured elsewhere before coming here to Southern Africa.
What counted in our favour was the quick realisation on the part of our
administrators, that a tour of this country was unique, in that we could use
the vast distances to be covered, the matches being played at different
altitude, the primitive transport facilities and the different playing
surfaces all to our advantage. Add to this some truly outstanding hospitality
and then allow the natural elements to play a part. The result was a very
weary touring party. In 1891, when the first tourists arrived, they had spent
sixteen days at sea on board ship with no exercise facilities and in the first
week spent in Cape Town they played three games, the first against a town
clubs side on Thursday, then two days later a full Western Province side,
followed on the Monday against a combined Cape Colony team which consisted of
players drawn from the local union, which included what is now known as
Boland, Griqualand West and Eastern Province.
Socially, the week in Cape Town was spent by the visitors as guests of honour
at a Smoking concert, which in those days was a competition of joke
telling, drinking and usually smoking cigars, followed the next evening a
formal dinner hosted by the Western Province Rugby Union. The Saturday evening
was spent at a Government House Ball sponsored by the Governor and Sunday an
all day picnic out at Hout Bay. The Monday after the match a dance was held
out at Sea Point. In between the tourists managed a visit to the theatre and
lunch aboard a visiting Royal Navy ship.
On the Tuesday morning, after their match against the Cape Colony, the
visitors boarded the train to Kimberley, a journey then of two nights and one
full day. Conditions on board were not ideal in that there were no
compartments or bunks in the carriages nor was there a dining room attached.
Having sat upright for the whole trip, the visitors on arrival were treated
lavishly for diamond fever was at it’s height and Kimberley was a boomtown
fielding a very strong team. Two matches were played on the Saturday and then
on the Monday against the provincial side. What surprised the visitors
however; who were accustomed to the green playing Fields of England was that
the local playing surface was plain red earth covered by a fine reddish dust
with not a blade of grass to be seen anywhere. The harsh sun Produced
considerable glare and to this must be added the effects of playing at
altitude. The tourists lodged a compliant that they frequently lost sight of
the ball in play due to pillars of dust that play created.
That evening immediately after the game the tourists were put back on the
train to spend another two nights on their way to Port Elizabeth. Here the
sight of green grass on the playing fields cheered them up no end for
many of the players were suffering from gravel burns and other abrasions
incurred at Kimberley, which had festered, in some cases leading to blood
poisoning. The hospitality in Port Elizabeth was lavish but the teams greatest
adventure was their departure. In those days the only harbours along our coast
for passenger steamers were at Cape Town and Durban. At Port Elizabeth, it
meant travelling out to sea in a small tug to the waiting ship and then being
lifted individually in a large wicker basket up on to the deck. At East
London, the next port of call the tour nearly ended in disaster, for the whole
team, for they had a narrow escape from drowning. What happened, was that when
the time came to leave; a vicious wind was whipping the sea up across the
sandbar at the mouth of the Buffalo River. This caused the waiting ship to
frequently disappear from view, leaving the skipper of the tugboat, to aim at
the lights of the ship when they were visible. Unfortunately he misjudged the
distance, for suddenly the bow of the big ship was towering above the small
vessel containing the entire British team. Damage was caused when the tugboat
was struck near the stern. Had the collision taken place amidships there is
little doubt that the tug would have sunk leaving the players little chance of
saving themselves. In later years, because of this incident and one, in Algoa
Bay when the tugboat, due to very rough seas had to circle the waiting ship
twelve times before being in a position to load, the by then violently seasick
team members, some players opted to give these venues a wide berth remaining
on board ship and sailing on to the next safe harbour.
In Natal, save for the normal hectic social whirl, the visitors had an
uneventful time but after their match in Pietermaritzburg they
immediately boarded the train that evening to travel up to the Reef. In those
days the railhead only extended as far as Charleston, a small trading centre
on the Natal/Transvaal border. President Paul Kruger had refused permission
for the railway line to continue as he insisted on the railway line from the
sea through Mozambique to be completed first. At first light the next morning
the team alighted from the train and boarded a stage coach drawn by ten
ponies, travelling full eight hours to Standerton where they spent the night,
next day making a 05h00 start in the middle of winter, travelling by stage
coach all day and reaching Johannesburg after seven in the evening in time for
their match the next day. After a brief stay of a week in which they played
three matches all on bone dry red earth fields, they set off once more by
stagecoach to the railhead at Fourteen Streams. On the way one of the coaches
lost a wheel, the players being forced to spend the night sleeping on the mud
floor of the only hut for miles around. Woken just after 01h00 to board the
relief coach they travelled on to Klerksdorp where they spent the rest of the
night, setting off early the next morning in order to board the waiting train
to take them to Kimberley, which they reached at midnight in time to play the
next afternoon against a full Cape Colony side, which they managed to win by 4
– 0.
On their way down to Cape Town for their final matches of the tour, including
the third test, they stopped off at Matjiesfontein where they were royally
entertained and played a cricket match against the full Western Province
cricket team, only losing by eighteen runs.
The visitors, with a touring party of only twenty one players, no
substitutions allowed, and with a single manager, were to remain
unbeaten throughout the twenty match, two month tour. They played
three times a week and scored 89 tries in all which points to very
strong constitutions and abundant stamina. In an article written 40 years
after the tour by Paul Clauss, one of their wing threequarters stated “ the
team found the tour tiring, and that it was much more difficult for them
to score towards the end of the tour then at the beginning, whether it
was an improvement of the South African Teams is hard to say, but they
had overdone things from a social point of view – too many dinners,
dances and smokers. On the whole we made no attempt to keep in strict
training, which was well to the good, for it preventing us from becoming
stale”. All one can say that it is interesting to reflect on the different
perspective that sport was held in those days.
If, as suggested, at the beginning of the article time would allow us to
transpose the players over the one hundred and ten years who would adapt
better – I must leave you to debate that issue.
SOURCES: 1. History of South African Rugby – Ivor Difford. 2.
Rugby in South Africa – Paul Dobson. 3. Springbok Rugby – Chris
Greyvenstein. 4. Springbok Annals – Danie Craven.
For more rugby and other sport stories visit BIG
BRIANS SPORT STORIES or
contact the author at bigbrian@acc.co.za
There is a twist in
the Tail by Desmond Organ
In the 1970's there was a weekly suspense
programme on Springbok Radio. It entertained youngsters and adults alike. This
was of course prior to the television age in South Africa. The Programme
carried the same name as this article and the purpose for choosing such a name
is to challenge readers to find the same with South African Rugby selections.
Our erstwhile Minister of Sport has become
embroiled in the selection quagmire as many of his peers have done in the
past. Too expect anything less would be naïve, yet at this point in time Mr.
Balfour has every reason to get involved. The fact that he began his attack
form the circles of a sport where there is representation is not surprising.
Our Minister of Sport has followed the same course
as his predecessors. He claims that he supports the team in full, that it
represents South Africa and of course that there is a hidden agenda behind
every respectable journalist in South Africa that disagrees with him, or
raises questions as to his true intentions.
The major risk is that he is doing this at a point
in time when South African Rugby can ill afford it. The team for Saturday's
test will be "Stormers" dominated. The form players of the Super 12
have been ignored and the Minister of Sport has got involved. It is
reminiscent of the issues before the test against Wales and the preparation
for the trip down under in the Tri Nations of 1999.
The truth of the matter is that the Minister has a
point, Deon Kayser should have been in the squad in the first place. Kayser
has been ignored and this has served to provide our glorios Minister with a
real case, whereas in the past it could be argued that it was political
rhetoric.
Added to this is the random selection of players
to attend national training when they have not been selected for Super 12
teams. It could be argued that this is because they are being ignored on the
basis of a lack of support for transformation. That may be the case for
several players but not Deon Kayser.
Harry and his panel of wise men have also invited
inexperienced white players to national training sessions and to occupy the
bench in test matches.
The Minister has now got every reason to complain
about selections and transformation. The geniuses involved in
selections, technical aspects and communication and planning are really
amateurs and have provided a political agenda for the Minister who probably
does not care about the team winning at all. He is more interested in
maximising his political support and expanding his influence.
The one positive is that Kayser could play on
Saturday and this means that we will at least have somebody who can attack,
defend and read the game. Had he been selected in the first place we would be
singing a different song.
Match Review
Australia 29 - British and Irish Lions 23
The unbelievable Wallabies won an emotion charged final test match over
the courageous Lions at Stadium Australia, it was a historic first series win
over the men from the British Isles and Ireland. Australia, holder of the
World Cup, the Tri Nation and Super 12 champions proved their pedigree by
beating the best team from the Northern Hemisphere since the glorious
seventies.
The pre-match atmosphere was electric with both teams highly motivated by the
whole occasion of a Stadium Australia, filled to capacity with gold and red
wearing supporters. The players from both sides rose to the occasion in a fast
match played with a seething intensity, mistakes were brutally exposed and
punished by Wilkinson and Burke with opportunities at goal. The Lions however
dominated the first half position and possession wise and a well-worked try
after a Walker knock-on by Jason Robinson swayed the pendulum in their favour.
Burke managed to keep the Wallabies in touch with a few penalties.
The Wallabies took the lead in the final few minutes after another mistake,
this time a knock-on from Henderson, quick recycling, brilliant vision from
Gregan and good hands from Walker opened the tryline for Dan Herbert’s first
try. The lead was 16-10 to Australia and the first half ended in a flurry of
controlled Lions’ attacks on the Ausie line, they could not penetrate and
had to settle with a Wilkinson penalty to trail by 3 at the break. Justin
Harrison, in his first test was brilliant he poached numerous of the
opposition’s ball and devoid them of crucial possession for the dangerous
attackers out wide.
The crucial second 40 minutes was as tense a period of rugby seen anywhere and
for any passionate supporter or casual observer the happenings epitomized what
test rugby is all about. First blood went to Johnny Wilkinson who scored
after some weak defence from Kefu, the Lions were back in the lead. What
followed was a period where both teams tried to dominate by continuous phase
play, the Lions with their mauling and the Wallabies with their excellent
continuity. Daniel Herbert scored his second after Harrison once again towered
in the lineout, Gregan’s excellent distribution created an extra split
second to ensure the overlap. Burke converted from an acute angle and the
Wallabies lead 23 – 20.
A potential match losing tackle from Dan Herbert barely two minutes after his
try cost his side 3 points and his absence for 10 minutes. What followed was
one of the most committed displays from 14 men witnessed this year, awesome
defence and tactical kicking kept the Lions at bay for the entire time Herbert
was “resting”. George Smith was instrumental in creating turnovers at the
breakdown and his ability to wrestle the ball away from the opposition going
to ground is phenomenal, he turned only 21 on the day. Wilkinson’s misses
did not help the Lion’s cause and the Australians carefully played for time
until Herbert’s return.
The final quarter of this enthralling contest produced an unbelievable amount
of turnovers and the Ausies kept their composure magnificently with the
Lion’s infringing at crucial times to hand Matt Burke opportunities at goal.
The fullback did not disappoint and his unnerving accuracy under pressure won
the match for the Wallabies. The Wallabies forwards, apart from the scrums
dominated proceedings and their support of the ball carrier was beyond
compare. The pressure was immense but both sides continued to carry the ball
and the Wallabies produced magnificent phases to not only soak up time but
also force the Lions to defend repeatedly. The strain eventually got to
Charvis, he dove over a ruck and handed Burke an “easy” kick in terms of
distance but unbelievable with the amount of pressure, he did not crumble, the
Wallabies led 29-23 with three minutes left on the clock.
The Lions required a converted try to win and from the kick off applied great
pressure to eventually force a lineout 5 meters out from the Australian line.
Justin Harrison, once again poached a lineout ball with the crowd going
absolutely ballistic in urging their teams to victory. The ensuing kick was
not that much of a relief and the Lions had another opportunity on the 25,
Dawson’s foolish break produced another turnover with Walker's clearance not
going too far but wasting precious time. The Lions won the final lineout of
the match and the next passage of play saw a frenzied attack from the Lions’
backs and furious defence from their counterparts to deny them a last grasp win.
Paddy O’Brien, grateful for the hooter signaled the end of a momentous test
match.
The emotion after the match was incredible; the dramatic finish left every
spectator spellbound, the Wallabies deserved their victory and coach Rod
Macqueen with John Eales orchestrated a magnificent series victory for the
World Champions. The series will long be remembered as one of the best ever
and a stunning advert for the game of rugby.
Moment of the match: Justin Harrison's poaching
of the Lion's lineout ball with three minutes left on the clock.
Men of the match: Dan Herbert, Justin Harrison and
George Gregan
Quotes
After England had been humbled by the All
Blacks in the World Cup Semi-Final - I don't know about us not having a
Plan B when things went wrong, we looked like we didn't have a Plan A.
Geoff Cooke
Gareth Edwards: The sooner that little so-and-so
goes to rugby league, the better it will be for us. Dickie
Jeeps
After a succession of career-threatening
injuries - I played ten injury-free years between the ages of 12 and 22.
Then, suddenly, it seemed like I was allergic to the twentieth century.
Nigel Melville
On playing for Wales at Lansdowne Road, Dublin
- I didn't know what was going on at the start in the swirling wind. The flags
were all pointing in different directions and I thought the Irish had starched
them just to fool us. Mike Watkins
Test Teams
Springboks vs All
Blacks Facts
Letters to the Editor
Dear Ed,
I have to disagree with some of the views expressed in your latest issue.
I agree with the dropping of Erasmus. He wants to play as a wing, centre or even fly half. He unfortunately for him is justnot good enough to get selected in his preferred position. If he again tries to play as a flank perhaps he may make the squad or the team again. Till then I prefer proper three quarters of which we do have some.
To those who want old fashioned bruise and crush Sprinkbok forward rugby and decry the Brumbies I can only quote Naas and say that the most important thing to do is win. The Brumbies and Australia win and will continue to win with their new style of rugby. In case some don't know it the rules of rugby have changed dramatically in the last two years and the play and style has to change to be competitive under these. It is not possible to play the rugby the boks did in the fifties.
Without doubt however the Boks are in disarray and our selection decisions are almost as laughable as those made in 1974 when we played the Proper Lions and lost hopelessly. Despite trying to play old fashioned Bok rugby including with old warhorses pulled back from retirement for the purpose. Will we never learn?
Drop Kick
Dear Ed,
The time is here for Harry and his clowns, to deliver on all their
promises and talk. They have run out of excuses, there is a new
"dynamic" captain now, and it is time for results now, we are
sick and tired to see the Boks not performing. We are working on a
so-called "new" game plan whatever that is. Their excuses are
getting old now we just want to see results, please Harry before you
become public enemy number one.
SA rugby is slowly becoming a joke, we are unable to do the basic stuff
right, like winning our own lineout ball, to dominate in the scrums, a
loose trio that actually does some work and backs that are able to think
on their feet, because when they do get the ball these days, they don't
have the slightest idea what to do with it. They must just do all the
basic things right, then and then alone, will they be a force in world
rugby again.
Thanks Q. Cloete
Dear Ed,
I enjoy reading the letters from your readers and I question why is it that
the majority of letters cover and state mainly the same reasons for the
sorry state of Springbok rugby, yet the coach and some assistant coaches see
things so differently to the avid rugby supporter. Maybe Andre Maakgraaf's
resignation say's it all. Do the recent coaches and current Springbok coach
together with SARFU view the South African rugby supporter as ignorant.
I personally find it difficult to be a proud South African now a days due to the negative issues occurring in the country. Atleast with some of our international sporting teams and individuals achieving success on the international arena, this does keep that proud flame burning as we have experienced with " The Goose" and our national cricket side, despite the turmoil SA cricket endured last year. In my view rugby is lagging way behind cricket in every sense and SA rugby should take heed. I would rather pay R250 for a one day cricket test than spend that type of money to watch a mediocre test performance by the Springboks. Unfortunately since the 1995 World Cup, Springbok rugby has encountered far more lows than highs in every sense of the game, be it on and off the field including boardroom politics. How much longer must the rugby supporting public be exposed to this disastrous state of affairs. South Africans like to win but not just to win by the score line but how we win in the performance stakes as this is what makes us really proud. The unfitting comment made by Joel Stransky after the second test win against France "a fantastic Springbok victory" which frankly was an uninspiring performance and the scoreline flatted the Boks. Naas Botha often makes the quote "all we want is the win" and this I am afraid is what Springbok rugby has come to. When the Springbok side loses which it will do there should be a knowing that the side performed at it's best and was beaten by a better side on the day, which still keeps us proud. In recent years and currently the Springbok losses have mainly been due to under and poor performance and the same can be said for many of the sides wins. Just to end I happened to be in Australia and New Zealand in 1999 over the Super 12 period and attended some of the Cats and Shark games. On the way over I was on the same plane as the Cats squad and it was great to be able to speak to some of the humble players on the stop over in Perth and even those with their broken English made conversation. Then last year when the Springboks played the Wallaby's and All Blacks in the Tri Nations I was on the same flight to Sydney as the Springboks. I was amazed at what a bunch of glamour boys we have in the Springbok squad and in particular the boys from "the mountain". Where are all those rugged rugby players that Springbok rugby was known for (except for Naas) and which alone put the fear into the opposition including the mighty All Blacks. Regards Schultzy PS. No disrespect to Naas Botha but he would have fitted in well in the current Springbok team as one of the many glamour boys and naturally would have had to live under the shadow of "the mountain".
Dear Ed,
Please can Rugby Forum and their contributors take
a positive line on life! Harry Viljoen doesn't have to prove
anything! Three teams to four finals in four years is something
few has achieved. And if you add the fact that he has succeeded in
business, then surely you have to realise he knows something.
First the lions beat the wallabies, and then the lions lose to the wallaby’s -bigtime. What does it teach us? That the southern or northern hemisphere is on top? No, just that a game depends on many, many things and circumstances during a game, simply because it's played by emotional, erring, flawed humans. Harry got rid of a 'manager' and appointed a leader as captain of the Boks. Harry got rid of a surly, racist, repressed thinker who never admitted a mistake while he coached the cats. And he got rid of Erasmus just in time. Go ask mains about that! Something else, new cap van Meeker is classy, and he’s older than George Smith, the best loose in the super 12! And please don't mention these one off results as the total truth. The total truth is recreated week after week, depending on the circumstances. Manchester United recently lost 4 games in a row - rugby forum would probably have asked for Alex Ferguson’s head! The Boks will never again have a better than 50% result against the All Blacks and Wallabies. They’re professional now, and planning our downfall daily. Gone is the day when the South Africans had the advantage on them through shamateurism - because that’s exactly what it was in the good old days when the Boks were loaded with players from Maties, Tukkies, police and defence force. So be grateful that we have a coach who wants to improve our game. Frankly, the Brumbies / Sharks final was embarrassing for South Africans. Can you recall what Eddie Jones predicted at halftime? So lets leave Rudolph out of our plans. The Currie Cup was one too far for him too. Sixty percent possession, and the sharks still lose it? And as for mallett, his record against the best speaks for itself, bearing in mind that we’ll never again have the ascendancy in the new professional world. For heavens sake, the eagles beating the bulls, border beating WP at Newlands! It’s a different world now, and it seems only Harry knows it. Bobby’s choice was a masterstroke; we now have an inspirational leader that will make me proud, even when I’m at Twickenham or Eden Park. Harry said it so well today -” when I make a change, I’m impulsive, even when I’ve pondered about it for weeks! "
Rugby Forum is playing to the masses for cheap approval- please get us
comments from the likes of Morne du Plessis, Dave Stewart, Ian Mac, John
Robbie and Nic Mallett. Or go watch a video of the 1997 WP/Bulls
match. We need inspirational coaches, not John Williams ‘sagmaak
voor hard slaan agter‘ clones!
Gerrit Botha
Dear Ed,
I'm an Afrikaans speaking South African living in
Auckland New Zealand for the past 5 years receiving Rugby Forum regularly.
Not easy living here when you're a Bok Supporter but be assured, we
don't stand back at all! When we win we rub it in very well and when we
loose we take it like men and don't sulk on it for weeks to come like some do!
First I wish to congratulate you on your excellent
comments regarding the present state of Springbok Rugby. I'm speechless
regarding......... "Now, for those readers from foreign shores who do not
have an inkling of
what I am talking about, do not feel alone or isolated as a matter of fact you are better off than what we are! Here goes, Johan Erasmus, flank extraordinaire was dropped to gain weight or brush up on his science, it is not quite clear which and replaced by a 20-year-old uncapped, untried, unknown player called, sorry forgot his name. André Markgraaff resigned from his position as assistant coach to benefit SA rugby on a grander scale. Now you know it all... well almost!" How true this is!
Myself, as a very "die hard" Springbok
supporter, defending the Bok with my life basically here in "AB,
one-eyed, cry babies, blaming all others for their defeats, untouchable by
refs, food poisoning freaks country"(think I made my point!) do not
have the slightest doubt in my mind that the Springboks will be slaughtered in
the upcoming Tri Nations. Its obvious, the writings on the wall.
Got to be! With a couch and management like that, what else do you
expect? I'm ready for the worst!
The team picked by Chris Erasmus is AWESOME mate
AWESOME!!
15. Tinus Delport 14. Frederich Lombard 13. André Snyman 12. Trevor Halstead 11. Breten Paulse 10. Gaffie du Toit 9. Graig Davidson 8. Albert v d Berg 7. A Venter 6. J Erasmus 5. Mark Andrews (K) 4. J Ackerman 3. W Meyer 2. John Smit 1. R Kempson
Reserves:
B Skinstad A Vos O le Roux G Esterhuizen Janus Labuschagne Deon Keyser This team will make the All Blacks cry (not that they ever stopped) and blame us for food poisoning again! Not to mention the Aussies mate, they'll blame the ref again! Their TV commentators have the ability to commentate on poor AB and Aussie performances like it will be the best rugby you'll ever see.
Just a question - why doesn't the Springbok
supporters in SA stand up and be counted? The hell with Harry and Co. and
Sarfu for that matter. Get rid of Harry guys, get rid of him
otherwise some serious bad times are lying ahead. Mark my words.
Rugby Forum Week 20 was the best one thus far.
Cheers from a Springbok supporter.
FRANS.
Briewe en Opinies in Afrikaans
Die All Blacks is in die land, vergeet van die Leeus, die Wallabies en die Ses Nasies, die grootste wedywering in rugby is tussen die Springbokke en die manne van die Silwer Varing. Ja, dié naweek begin die 2001 Drie Nasies kompetisie met 'n kragmeting tussen die ou vyande, histories die beste in wêreld rugby, op Nuweland. Die van julle wat al gelukkig genoeg was om 'n wedstryd tussen die twee bulspanne by te gewoon het sal getuig van die bol senuwees in jou maag voor en tydens die wedstryd en dit is a toeskouer. Vir enige Springbok is 'n toets teen die All Blacks 'n getuigskrif van ware mededinging en daarmee kom die kennis waarvoor Springbok rugby eintlik staan. Die vorige ontmoeting was een van die beste wedstryde in 'n lang geskiedenis van klipharde, ongenadelose rugby. Nic Mallett se span, onder intense druk van die toeskouers en adminastrateurs, het te danke aan 'n wonder-wedstryd van Robbie Fleck en 'n prag-drie van Thinus Delport die All Blacks naelskraaps op Ellis Park met 46-40 geklop. Die vreugdevure het daardie dag hoog gebrand en daar was op lange laas weer hoop na 'n benarde seisoen wat begin het met 'n lelike verloorslag teen Engeland. 'n Mens kan seker vergewe word as daar 'n paralel getrek word tussen die huidige posisie en verlede jaar, weer-eens het die jaar begin met 'n gelykop-reeks teen 'n Ses Nasies span die verskil is egter dat vir die eerste keer in die kort geskiedenis van die Drie Nasies toer die Springbokke na 'n tuisrondte. Die eerste indruk is dat dit die Springbokke moet bevoordeel, die druk is alreeds ongelooflik hoog op 'n span wat om die minste te sê "'n paar probleempies" gehad het. Die beste nuus die hele week was die gebrek daaraan, waarvoor ek verlede week so naarstigtelik gepleit het. Die beseringspook het reeds sy opwagting gemaak en Corné Krige van 'n kans beroof, die man het darem erg ongeluk teen die All Blacks! Hopelik is dit die enigste besering en dat Harry volle baat kon vind uit twee weke se voorbereiding met 'n toets kombinasie. Die verskeie doenighede in die Springbok-kamp die afgelope twee weke sal een van twee uitwerkings hê, die manne sal saam staan en 'n fantastiese vertoning lewer of die wiele sal heeltemal afval. Verlede jaar se vertoning en 'n kern van ervaring in Mark Andrews en Joost gee my hoop dat ons 'n besondere vertoning sal sien van 'n span wat weet hulle skuld almal en mees belangrik hulleself 'n goeie poging. Helaas, die weer mag dalk die grootste invloed hê op beide spanne se spel en hopelik kan Kaapstad 'n droë dag beleef vir een van die belangrikste wedstryde in heugenis. Saterdag het ons geskiedenis mee gemaak, die Leeus het vir die eerste keer 'n reeks in Austalië verloor na 'n klipharde stryd tussen die spanne. Die wedstryd was ongelooflik tens en wat my veral bygeval het was dat foute amper onmiddelik met punte gestraf is, die tipe druk kan net geskep word in finale van kompetisies en in toetse. Die Super 12 en Drie Nasies het miskien een swak punt en dit is dat spanne kan wegstap met bonuspunte as hulle net-net verloor en dit bring mee dat hulle nog steeds in gedrang bly. Toetsrugby soos in 'n drie wedstryd reeks waar trots en eer, wen of verloor op die spel is, is beslis nog die ware Jakob en ek sal selfs so ver gaan om 'n analogie met krieket te vorm, die vyfdag teenoor die eendag weergawe. Ware connoisseur's gereg in vergelyking met kitskos. Die Wallabies het baie goed gedoen om die Leeus in die finale minute te stuit, die lynstaan rower, Justin Harrison het seker die belangrikste bal in sy loopbaan gewen om die Leeus hulle uiters effektiewe rolmaal beweging te verhoed. 'n Wel verdiende reeks oorwinning moes Harry Viljoen seker ook 'n groot slaak van verligting laat sluk het want die Wallabies het bewys dat hulle spelstyl die toets van een van die beter Leeus spanne nog deurstaan het. Die naweek is daar slegs een fokus en dit is Nuweland, sterkte aan Harry Viljoen en sy span, om 17:00 sal die hele nasie agter julle staan. Dade en slegs dade sal antwoorde verskaf, woorde en beloftes het hulle glans verloor. Groete Red. Beste Red Ek gaan nou sommer reguit
wees ek dink die hele rugby publiek en al die spelers is al lekker
gatvol vir Harry en dit incl. my hy moet nie eens `n onder nege span
afrig nie ons sit met al die talent in die werêld en dan neek hy dit so
op hier is my bok span |
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